Mufti Qavi along with his lawyer appeared before the court and requested it to give his counsel some time to prepare arguments.

Speaking to reporters after his appearance, Mufti Qavi said he is cooperating with the investigation officer of the case. He added that he respected the court and would accept whatever its ruling will be.

Earlier, the court had issued non-bailable warrants for his arrest over his absence from the proceedings and not cooperating with the investigation officer. Subsequently, he approached the court and secured the interim bail against a surety bond of Rs100,000.

Police also produced other accused, including Qandeel’s brother Muhammad Waseem, in the court.

The cleric had been nominated after statement of Qandeel’s father which he recorded before the police.

In his earlier written statement to police, Mufti had claimed that he first met Qandeel during a TV talk show and his last meeting was held at a hotel in Karachi on 13th of Ramazan.

Mufti Abdul Qavi was suspended as the member of Ruet-e-Hilal committee after his pictures with Baloch went viral on social media. The video of Mufti and the model went so viral that it was also echoed in Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs meeting.

Qandeel Baloch was murdered by her brother, Waseem, in Multan on July 15th. The suspect stated he killed his sister as she “brought disgrace on the family”.